Scotty Cannon to return for Texas event

Scotty Cannon returns toHooters IHRADrag Racing Competition during the IHRA Amalie Oil Texas Nationals

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- The IHRA's prodigal son is back. Just six years after his emotional departure from the sanctioning body that helped him earn a premiere ride in the NHRA's nitro Funny Car division, the Oakley-sponsored driver will be back in his old stomping grounds for this weekend's IHRA Amalie Oil Texas Nationals presented by Ancira Cars, Trucks and RVsat San Antonio Raceway. The trademark Mohawk hairdo is intact, his old flamed '53 Studebaker has already plunked down six-teens in testing and the popularOakley-sponsored iconwho can still pack them in the small (and big) venues is aiming to pick up where he left off in 1998 at the IHRA World Finals in Shreveport, La.

Cannon never got over finishing runner-up to Shannon Jenkins at that race. There's a lot more fuel burning in his physical motor as makes a run for the Hooters IHRADrag Racing championship.

"There are a lot of new tough drivers to deal with now like Mitch Stott, Mike Janis, Thomas Patterson and Mike Castellana.

"Then there was 'ole Shannon (Jenkins) and we used to mix it up back in the day."

Back in the day...Cannon can spin some tales on that. Those days seemed distant when he and Jenkins missed the cut for the eight-car NHRA Gatornationals field. Both were ranked in the top 16 of qualifiers.

"We just got behind early and ran out of times and chances," Cannon explained. "We are staying over and testing on Monday and Tuesday. I'd rather take a butt-whipping than to DNQ."

Qualifying for the IHRA Amalie Oil Texas Nationals kicks off on Friday and concludes on Saturday. Final eliminations are slated for Sunday.

-ihra-